Rethinking Growth: It’s About More Than GDP and Dollars

Written by: Tex Wambui
When we think about a country’s success, the first thing that comes to mind is probably its GDP—the total value of everything it produces. For decades, that’s how we’ve measured progress, but is that really telling us the whole story?
Let’s face it, life is more than just numbers. What good is economic growth if people are unhappy, unhealthy, or if the environment is being destroyed in the process? This is where holistic growth comes in—a concept that’s starting to take center stage as we realize there’s much more to progress than just financial metrics.
Take Bhutan, for example. Instead of GDP, they’ve got a different approach: Gross National Happiness (GNH). It sounds almost too simple, but Bhutan looks at things like emotional well-being, cultural preservation, and environmental health as signs of progress. Similarly, New Zealand has adopted a “Well-being Budget.” Their government now evaluates policies based on how they impact quality of life—whether that’s reducing child poverty, improving mental health, or tackling environmental issues.
These examples show that countries can thrive when they think about growth more holistically. It’s about looking at the bigger picture, beyond just economics, and asking: Are we truly improving people’s lives?
Now, let’s talk about technology, particularly AI. Artificial Intelligence is already transforming industries like healthcare and education in ways that align with this broader vision of growth. In healthcare, AI-powered tools are making earlier disease detection possible, which can save lives and reduce long-term healthcare costs. In education, AI is helping create personalized learning experiences for students, focusing not just on academic skills but also fostering creativity and emotional intelligence.
But there’s a flip side: AI also poses risks, like job displacement and privacy concerns. If we’re going to let technology be a part of this holistic growth, we need to manage these risks responsibly. We have to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared broadly and that no one gets left behind as industries evolve.
All of this is what I dig into in my latest SITTY Podcast episode. I explore how we can rethink growth in a way that values individual well-being, societal equity, and environmental sustainability—without sacrificing economic progress. It’s about recognizing that everything is interconnected, and our success depends on balancing these priorities.
🎧 Want to dive deeper? Check out the full podcast episode here: [Podcast Link] 💡 I’d love to hear your thoughts! Join the conversation with #SITTYPodcastHolisticGrowth and let’s talk about how we can all contribute to this shift.
In the end, real progress isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about how people feel, how societies function, and how the planet thrives.